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Hailey Rachko, a 2015 graduate of SPFHS, will climb to the base camp of Mount Everest to raise money and awareness of childhood cancers.Hailey Rachko, a 2015 graduate of SPFHS, will climb to the base camp of Mount Everest to raise ...Credits: John Mooney

Hailey Rachko is a member of the St. Bart's youth group.Hailey Rachko is a member of the St. Bart's youth group. Credits: Courtesy of Hailey Rachko

A former cheerleader at SPFHS, Hailey Rachko is a member of Boston University's dance team, which she says keeps her in shape to climb Mount Everest.A former cheerleader at SPFHS, Hailey Rachko is a member of Boston University's dance team, which ...Credits: Courtesy of Hailey Rachko

Hailey Rachko and her roommate, Noelle Fallacara, who is organized the fundraising trip at BU.Hailey Rachko and her roommate, Noelle Fallacara, who is organized the fundraising trip at BU. Credits: Courtesy of Hailey Rachko

Hailey Rachko and her mom, Carol RachkoHailey Rachko and her mom, Carol Rachko Credits: John Mooney

Hailey Rachko was a cheerleader for Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.Hailey Rachko was a cheerleader for Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. Credits: Courtesy of Hailey Rachko

By JOHN MOONEY

March 7, 2018 at 10:18 PM

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- When Hailey Rachko, a 2015 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, sets her sights on something she aims high.

Now a junior at Boston University, Hailey plans to climb to the base camp of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, shortly after taking her final exams in May. She and 26 other students from across the country will spend nine days climbing up the mountain (in order to acclimate to the altitude), but take just two days to come down.

The journey is run through Choose a Challenge, a UK-based organization that pairs challenges with causes. Participants solicit sponsorships. Half of the money raised covers the cost of the trip, while the other half goes to the designated charity, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the largest provider of financial assistance to families of children with cancer nationwide. The organization is a leader in childhood cancer research funding, as well as raising awareness and advocating for children with cancer.

“I’m joining The B+ Foundation and raising money to help fight childhood cancer,” Hailey, a member of the youth group at St. Bartholomew Church. “I know this will be a challenge. But EVERY day is a challenge for the 46 kids who are told they have cancer each school day.”

“We plan to meet with the families that will be helped. Based in the northeast association with Boston Children’s hospital.”

Hailey’s roommate, Noelle Fallacara, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with Choose a Challenge last year, and this time around convinced Hailey to join her. Although she is a hiker, Hailey will be climbing a mountain for the first time.

“I probably could have started on a smaller scale,” she admits.

Getting in shape won’t be too difficult, since she is a member of BU’s Div. I dance team and goes through a lot of intense cardio training six days a week.

“We go to nationals in the first week of April. At that point, I’ll be in great shape,” said Hailey, who was a cheerleader at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (class of 2015).

“To get to the base camp, it’s a lot of hiking – three to four 4 days,” Hailey explained. “On the fourth day, we will stay in a village for a full day to acclimate and then we head to the base camp with the help of Sherpas and yaks.

Before the excursion, Hailey will focus on school. She will complete her final exams during the week before the group leaves from JFK Airport.

“The trip overlaps graduation. Some seniors are skipping graduation to do this,” said Hailey, a junior who plans to pursue a career in health care. “The flight leaves JFK and goes non-stop to Nepal. From there, a helicopter will bring us to Katmandu.”

Although a little nervous, her mom thinks it will be a great experience.

“She wants to help people; she’s that kind of person. She made a Powerpoint presentation to sell the idea to us,” Carol Rachko, said.

What to expect from Mount Everest

Hailey says she knows the trip will be a challenge and wants to go into it with minimal expectations.

“My friends here in Scotch Plains think I’m crazy,” said Hailey who attended McGinn Elementary and Terrill Middle School. “They’re thinking what have they done to her at school?”

Meanwhile, Hailey is collecting information on climbing from others who have done trips with Choose A Challenge.

“I’m asking a lot of questions of people who went last year,” Hailey said. “On Mount Kilimanjaro, they didn’t know when temperatures will go from 90 to 15 degrees. The mental part with be the biggest struggle.”

Hailey’s goal is to raise $5,500. In advance of the climb, she has organized a medium-reading here in Scotch Plains, a fundraising event that Blaze Pizza and Boston University, and a “late night bake sale” that will cater to students with the munchies. To support Hailey’s effort, visit her fundraising page.

CLARK, NJ - The Frank K. Hehnly School Mentoring LINKS (Looking Into the Needs of Kids) program was in full swing at a "Bowling and Burgers" event. Students and their mentors visited Garwood Lanes where they formed teams and worked together to earn the highest score.

According to Mentor LINKS advisor Nina Conner, the students had a great time. “Everyone enjoyed the music, aimed for strikes, ...

CLARK, NJ - The Frank K. Hehnly School Mentoring LINKS (Looking Into the Needs of Kids) program was ...

CLARK, NJ – The Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad is seeking drivers for overnight shifts, from 6pm to 6am. Councilman Pat O’Connor, who serves as liaison to the Emergency Squad, encourages those interested to email membership@clarkems.org. All training will be provided for new drivers, O’Connor explained during a recent Clark Town Council Meeting.

CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders kicked off their new season at home against the Morris Catholic High School Crusaders (Denville). After a slow start, a quick offensive push sparked the home team, who fought to a 17-17 tie with 4:49 left in the second quarter.

The visiting Crusaders found a way around the push from the home Crusaders as the rest of the quarter winded ...

CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders kicked off their new season at home against ...

CLARK, NJ - Mrs. Winthers’s keyboarding students at Arthur L. Johnson High School prepared thank you letters to service members who are deployed during the holidays. Students were asked to compose a positive message thanking members of the military for their service to the country which allows citizens the ability to peacefully enjoy freedom at home.

CLARK, NJ – Clark’s new recycling program will take effect on January 1, 2019. Ahead of this change, all homeowners will receive a new 96-gallon blue recycling cart during the week of December 17, Business Administrator John Laezza announced during the Town Council meeting on December 3.

As reported this past summer, the Township secured a five-year contract with a new recycling company, ...

CLARK, NJ – Clark’s new recycling program will take effect on January 1, 2019. Ahead of this ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. -- James Scacifero and Julian Kaniuka each won two races to help the Union Catholic swim team remain undefeated with a 125-45 victory over Johnson on Thursday night at the Jewish Community Center in Scotch Plains.

Scacifero, a senior, won the 100 freestyle in 59.24 and the 200 freestyle in 2:10.52 and Kaniuka, a freshman, won the 50 freestyle in 24.14 and the 100 butterfly ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. -- James Scacifero and Julian Kaniuka each won two races to help the Union ...

CLARK, NJ – During the month of November, Clark UNICO, in conjunction with local residents, collected new socks, pajamas, hats, gloves and scarves to help benefit the St. Joseph’s Social Service Center’s Giving Tree Program.

The center, located in Elizabeth, holds a gift distribution program annually. Clients begin signing up in September, resulting in approximately 2,500 requests to the ...

CLARK, NJ – During the month of November, Clark UNICO, in conjunction with local residents, ...

CLARK, NJ - The Clark Police have issued a road work advisory for Friday, December 14. According to police, the intersection of Oak Ridge Road and Lake Avenue will be paved between the hours of 9:00 a.m.and 3:00 p.m.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. the westbound traffic on Raritan Road will be detoured onto Featherbed Lane and then onto Tudor Drive to Lake Avenue. During this time, no left turns will ...

CLARK, NJ - The Clark Police have issued a road work advisory for Friday, December 14. According ...